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Poetry. THIS WORLD. This world is a sad. sad place, I know And what soul living- can doubt Itt But it will not lessen the want and woe To be always singing about it. Then away with songs that are fall of tears; Away with dirges that sadden; Let us make the moet of onr fleeting years, By tinging the lay a that gladden. A few sweet potions of bliss Ire quaffed. And many m cnp of sorrow ; But in thinking over the flavored draught. The old-time Joy I borrow. And in brood in 3 over the bitter drink. Pain fills again the measure; And so I have learned that it'a better to think Of things that give as pleasure. The world at its aaddeet is not all aad ; There are days of snnny weather; And the people within it are not all bad. But saint and sinners toeether. I think thrasn wonderful hours of June Are better by far to remember Than thoe when the erth gets out of tune In the cold bieak winds of November. Bvanie we meet In the walks f life Many a selfish creature. It doesn't prove that this world of strife ilas no redeeming feature. There is bloom and beauty npon this earth; 1 hore are buds and blossoming flowers; Tbere are souls of truth and hearts of worth; There are glowing, golden hours. In- thinking over a Jov we've known We evil; make it double. Which is better by far than to mope and moan O'er sorrow and grief and tronbie. For thonsrh this world is sad we know And who that is living can donbt it? It will not lessen the want and woe To be always sinking about it. Miscellany. 31 KS. DIWCIVS WILL. Thk little church stands high upon the hill at Cros?ruyroof. It is not a handsome church at all, nor curious, nor famous ; but I love it dearly, as I ought to love it, having lived all my life in iU very shadow, and listened within its old gray walls while my father's lips taught me the one great lesson which has sanctified it. Ve decorated it three times in every rear : at Christmas, at Easter, and for the llarvest Thankgiving service. Bat the Christmas decorations were what I took mopt pride in, and being the vicar's eldest daughter, of course the chief of the work and of the pleasure, fell upon me. The children (I mean my brothers and sisters) helped me always, and we had odo of our own servants when she could be spared, besides countless village volunteers ; but I always felt we should have been very mueh more incapable and unsuccessful if it had not been that old 3Irs. Grotto made a point of having her grandson down at Crossmyroof for Christmas. lie was so raady with his help, o quick to see what would look well, so tall and stroDg, that nothiug we wished to attempt was impossible when he wa3 there, and nothing in the work was a trouble to me. Sometimes Eleanor M'Laird came np from tho hall to help us, and when she did she generally laughed a little, low, aris'ocratic laugh over my garlands and texts, and pretended to think the children had done them all. I was often glad that we were in the church when she said so, because hot words rose from my heart, and would have left my lips perhaps if we had not been there. She was an only child, and very rich, and I was the eldest of eight, and had never known what it was to have a sixpence, the spending of which had not been anticipated. Her father was lord of the manor, with i'3,000 a year ; mine was vicar of the par-ieh, with 300. Christmas day fell on a Sunday that year, and it was getting quite dusk on the Friday afternoon before we had finished. Eleanorhad brought a magnificent bouquet of hot-house flowers for the chancel tabic, nrl T ntnrxl watching her while 8ho ar ranged them.. "They will not be moved, I hope," the said, stepping down into the aisle again and addressing me, "nor the cross I have placed above. James, just see that the cross is safe." James was the footman who had been sent to walk home with her; and while he did as she had bidden him, she repeated her queEtion to me. 'No; no one will move them, Miss M'Laird," I answered. "Low Church people have such cramped ideas sometimes," she said, passing on; tiud I sat down again to the wreath that 1 was making. IIow different the vicarage flowers were from those which she had brought from tlie conservatories at the hall. 1 thought this, working on with my shy-looking little roses, while the whispering shadows glided in under the heavy porch, and c rept along the' narrow windows. I had beard voices in the church yard after Eleanor had left the church, and I knew that JIarq. Gotto (his name was really Marquis, but we always called him Marq) had met her ju.t outside the porch, and had stopped to chat. She was generally very gracious to him; perhaps because he did not live in Crossmyroof; perhaps because he had that charm about him which compelled people to like him; perhaps because he was so grand and handsome that Flic could forget, while she was talking t i him, that lie was only a poor young 1 twyer struggling hard to win his own way in a world over whose wide extent, be used to say, there was no one else to win it for him.- "Is it finished?'' asked Marq, standing beside me in the twilight, with that little smile npon his lips with which he so often rpoke to me. "If so, let me hang it before wo are shrouded in utter darkness." I tried to hasten, but the string got entangled every second. "Nina, your hands are cold and tired, dear. Give me the wreath." I gave it him at once, helping him to hold it while his strong fingers dextrously tied in the last ivy and laurel leaves. "Now hand me the nails, and see how artistically I will put it up." I stood at the foot of the little ladder, while the children, who had finished their task, gathered round. "When the wreath was hung he stepped down among us, and quite unconsciously, I thick laid his band on mine as he looked up at it. "The flowers look very commonplace besides Miss M'Laird's," I said, with a little sigh. lie laughed the laugh deepening in his eyes as he turned and looked into my lace. "I think Miss M'Laird's garlands are as like herself as Miss Callaway's garlands are like herself. My fingers could not " " .. -r -t . 11 "That looks pretty now, x saiu, suu looking up. "It is our wreath, remember. IIow long will it live!" "Only over Christmas," put in Tom, practically. ,r "Indeed, Sir!" laughed Marq; "and t innniro -what Christmas vou allude to? Now, Nina, is there any thing else for me to do in tnis wayr T think Tint." Tint thmicrh the children went home then, we two still lingered there, while the brilliant Nativity scene upon the eastern window grew more and more real as thn Hirht faded without. I have one thing more to do, you Trn " T Rid. as the choir came in. "We have to sing the anthem over to papa," rv.i' MtrVit T will stand here and x " e - lUtpn The singers lighted the candles on the organ, ana Dent over meui '- uimS 1: fh music: bnt I knew the crknd old anthem well, and stood back a w" 1 J 4 a s a w f in the shadow, wnere x coum o -""h 1 : V.a end nf I1T BPftt. Often In the time that followed did I sadly re-racmber how heedlessly I had sung the .,,,. .Ag that nliyht. while I rnthd hifl listenine fieure. Tapa was detained in the Tillage, and fo Marq and I walked slowly on together down the oniet lane, the darkness of the Christmas night deepening and decpen- inT inrlnniMrvpt wpiitnrinff OUt intO the chilling air. Yet we lingered at every stew, thinking nothinz of the cold. Marq ivas tellinc me of that stransre old jIrs. lv,nan uhn fver ninrn T ran remeM i.pt has lived alone at the old Priory, on thn nther side of the hill. Of course lone Ago 1 had heard the story of her cruelty to her step-son, and ot the quarrel between them when his father died and left .n t.ia wealth ii nnnn d i tions.ll v to her. the will never even mentioning his only son; VOL. IX. but Marq was tolling me other things how Mrs. Duncan always sought his advice now on the most trifling matters of business; how often she sent for him when she was in London; how she was now ill at Torquay, and he was going to her in a few days. 'When lawyers get one good client they think their fortunes made, Marq, don't they?" I asked. "I cannot quite answer for lawyers in general being so weak, dear; but one lawyer in particular is. 1 feel my fortune made. My only want now is some one to share it." He was laughing, of course, , and I lauzhed too. - "it is too great for you to Bpend alone, theur" "It will be when I've earned it. I intend to have such a beautiful little home. A white house, with roses and jasmine all over it, and a garden full of wonderful scents and unexpected corners just like your own home, NiDa. And of course I shall want some one to share it with me.". "Your grandmother," I suggested. "No, dear. My venerable ancestress is a strong conservative, declining to leave her ingle; and can you expect her primitive residence to hold me when I am a ni-nut man ' 11 1 . f v ill . i i. s :::. t..,n XOu. remeiiiuer liie luiuisiwic usj ui Stepney?" "Vou want to know when that will be, do you? With your usualfar-sightedness, you would insinuate that I am counting my chickens too soon. Never mind! I feel that I shall win success at last. Faint heart, as you are aware, never won fair lady; and as I mean to win her, my heart is very strong. That is the one ere&t hoDe that leads me on. Nina. btand hero a moment, dear, out in the quiet night witii me, ana ten memawiope shall have its fulfillment." We were at the gate thea, and I heard papa's step behind us on the frosty road. A new nervousness came upon me in my gieat happiness, and I hurriedly put my lingers on the latch. Marq laid his cool, firm hand upon them, whispering, very tenderly. "I will not keep you here, my dear one; I will not urge you for your answer now. Give it me to-morrow night onChristmas-night. Ah, little Nina, let it be kind. I have loved you with all the strength of my heart. You have been the one bright hope of ali my life. Let the pleasant home of which I dream be mine. Give me the little wife I seek, to make it bright and beautiful." Very quietly we walked together up the garden, but when we reached the lighted hall I ran away up stairs. After tea we had a long, happy evening of Christmas games and music, and Marq seemed to lead everythinc, and was the wildest and the merriest of us all. Not till the bells had chimed the Christmas in did we think of separating. Then the children were eent to bed, and Marq stood at the hall door, lingering over his good-night, the frostv hreath of the new-born day filling the hall, and we laughing and shivering as we stood there. lie loitered so long that they all left us; then I gave him my hand that I might follow them. "I wonder whether I shall reach home safely," he mused, holding it while he looked round in the darkness. "Nina, let me take what light I can. Let me have another look into the face I love." Moving back into the light, my cheeks burning, I stood and smiled my last good-bve; and outeide in the gloom Marq raised his hat and brightly answered me. Our wreath, he had said Marq's and mine! I thought it looked lovely even among Eleanor s rare and brilliant flowers. The children and I reaching the church first of all the congregation-walked up the aisle, whispering how beautiful the glistening leaves and berries looked when the slanting sunrays touched them. Then I took my place in the choir, and in little straggling groups the people passed under the porch, bringing in the Christmas sunshine on their faces. Old Mrs. Gotto came at last, on Marq's arm, and she stood a moment just within the door, looking around upon the decorations. Marq looked up too, but his eyes were very grave, and I fancied that his thoughts were far away. Then, in a hush which seemed to me a breathless hush of joy we sat among the winter flowers in gleams of sunshine, while my father read us the old, sweet story, which has hallowed this day for every age to come. And the glad words of the anthem filled the church as if we too, in joy and thanksgiving, wouia join the angels' hymn to-day. V e naa Deen nome oniy a iew imuuies, and were standing round the fire warm-miF font uhpn Mam came in. I won dered to see' him, because he never came to us on Christmas-day until evening, uu I esneciallv wondered when as he shook hands with us all he wished us a merry Christmas, forgetting he had done so eany in the morning. "T am sorrv to sav my Christmas greet ing heralds my good-bye," ho said, speak ing rather ncrveusiy. jur. nwoy, what do you think has happened?" a a1.!i. Of course papa 6aia ne couiu not. mma. at all. . . "n:H Mrs. Duncan has died at 1 orquay, and and left me her heir." Nonsense!'' nana said, promptly. "You joke too gravely, Marq." "But it is not a joke, sir; it is a simple fact." "Rut she has a son. Mr. Gotto." began Tom, staring into Marq's face. n: . hut hnchnml nan fine. "And has she left her husband's wealth away from her husband s eon?" l asKed, Xfo .imnlv anaspred VPS. Without lnokinsr at me as he spoke. "Since that nnarrel. nearlv twenty years aeo, ne rj . m i aHHasi aa nflnn niiPHiinneu iiiui ijiiiuci. r - i . . "she has never heard or this son. anu nas i i never tried to hear ot him. tie isnoi mentioned in her will, they tell me.' ... . . . 1 - ,al .1 nil t r-i a t ilia vr n 7 "Perfectly so. The property was her own, to leave as she would.' "Then the father's will long ago was as unjust as the mother s is now, mam ma intnrrimtPd Ullt a u KVI a u V- ma tJid Jr. uuncan was entirely iuikx Kr via hmt7 T iSpViAvp " Mara answered. "and left her uncontrolled possession of the whole estate. Tin m nTir rimld have imasined At... -v.. . n.;l1 i o li-o ir fprtm lila nnlv IHu BliO iiuuiu villi ifc n" i-i - J son," my father said. "Why, the name and the estate have gone together for two HrinrlrnrI wan" "Was Mrs. Duncan quite clear in her mind when the will was made, ao you iiTilrV T trinnirH Quite so, as far as medical judgment "There is no difficulty in deciding v7iat n-ma urrrin tr in tier mind " Said D1V father. cravelv. "How inveterate must have "What a rich man you will be, Marq!" eaM Tfsm rlftliahtndlv. "and VOU'll live at the old Priory, and be greater than the il Lairds. ' Are you really very rich and great, rn" acb-Ait PIlaiA raiaincr her small, in- quisitive face, and trying as I think we iM-a n-srp .11 trvinir to read Marn's. 1 1 u . . j . I IT a otAnnnil ilnwn nnon the rui? beside her, and I fancy that he did it to avoid our eyes, as he aDswerea, xes, i am very rich man, Elsie darling, but not great yet. That I must try to be, now mat i.ii i" The words were spoken very slowly and -.-rr VinnrrJitfnilv. and thev fell UDon my hpart as a heavy shadow sometimes falls upon a sunny spot. lie had to start for Devonshire so early ;n, ls c!.-1 that he must bid us cood-bye then. His grandmother NORTH ' r ' Wo would not hear of his leaving her again that day. We all shook hands with him as we a'tood round the fire ; then he hurried away, saying he should be late for dinner as he had to go round to the Priory. " lie speaks of the place in a tone of proprietorship already," papa said, laughing a little. " It will be good to have such a neighbor. I wish I had him for a patron, lie will go into Parliament, of course, and be a great man, as he says." "Poor Mr. Duncan!" mamma said, as she and I went up stairs. And whether it was because I thought of him, or because I thought of myself, I don't know, but the joy and sunshine of thatChristmas-day were gone. I had no fire in my bed-room, else I think I should have sat before it all that night, wondering and wondering. Yet I dare say that would not have made things any clearer to me than they seemed, as I stood for those few minutes at the staircase window. It was to-night that I was to have told him whether the home he said he dreamed of should be his. Another home had been given given him now, which took him in one way far from me. lie was free. Since I had not accepted his love, he could not think himself bound to me, and would go into a diflerent world now, and see Jbow much more wisely he could choose. "I know he will be a great man," I whispered to myself, "and I will rejoice in it as I live on quietly here. Perhaps sometimes, when he feels tired of his state and erandeur, he will like to rest a few minutes in the old garden with 'its wonderful scents and unexpected corners'; and I shall be his friend only his friend, but always true to him in my heart, whether he knows it or not. Oh, I am so glad that I could not tell him last night how I loved him!" Yet though I said that I was glad-though I pictured the quiet friendship I should feel for him my heart would beat so quickly when the letters came that I dared not trust myself to look at them; and while I waited for them to be claimed, each breath I drew hurt me with a quick, sharp pain. Week after week went by, and no tidings came of him no tidings for us, at least. Sometimes old Mrs. Gotto told us where he was, but not often, and sever what he was doing. Spring came. The roses and jasmine on the white walls of my home blossomed in their first, fresh beauty, looking in at my window, and reminding me of many a happy spring-time past, while the birds sang hopefully of many a happy spring to come. But still he never came. Dreamily, in its full and perfect beauty, the summer followed; on all the land lay its flashing, radiant smile ; but through these long, bright days he did not come. . I listened to the reapers singing at their work; I listened to the lark echoing their song among the soft, white clouds; but through all the joyous music ef the au-tnmn davs there rane for me a sad, sad strain, because he did not come. Slowly ' . .i i ii there crept to my ieei uie icnginening shadows of the winter, whose coming 1 sorely dreaded. n. Tl tto a PViriarmas.-P.VA on CP. more, and I had just brought into the church my last armtul oi glistening nony Dougn irum the porch. Under the pulpit stairs sat Eleanor, sewing letters of box lcayes on white muslin. 'Fear not The words grew under her fingers, and I read them over and over as I stood resting a moment near her. She was talking to papa quietly and rapidly as she worked, but I did not follow her. Now and then I heard "chas- subles," "tunicles," "albs," "baretta," and many things which I suppose ne un derstood, though he naraiy spoKe amu; but the only words which went to my heart were those her fingers lett on the long, white scrou. t tnmiwt tn m-e work, ashamed of the feeling which had been upon me all that morning. I would not thins again oi any one who had been used to make this task so light to me in the years gone by. Jl would think none but happy, Christmas thoughts. Why have you leu mat space uare, Nina? Sha'nt you put a wreath up as you did last year?" "No, Tom. i ve nnisnea now. V.lpannr had seen her text out up. and was leaving the church, wrapped in her rich, soft fur. She hesitated a moment, slv into mv face, where the color had risen, sorely against my will. Who made tne wreaiu uiai uuug mwo last year?" she asked Tom. "Nina and sit. uotto. "Have vou heard of Mr. Gotto, lately?" she said to me. 'Ilave vou not?" and she raised her eyebrows with languid surprise. "lie is in .London now. lie is coming uowu iu stav with us before he takes possession of the Priory. Papa helps him at pres ent in the personal management oi iuc estate, but we expect him soon." "How soon?" T it in a vnlrp on still and TtaS- sionless that it surprised me when I heard it i. ... "PArhann to nicht. I know he Will come as soon as he can. lie agrees with us that the Priory ought to be occupied. Tf la tVio nnlv timisA in thn neighborhood which I visit. Now I will bid you good evening. Miss Callaway.' t v. .1 iwun irrnntr in (rive ner mT taruEBi Christmas wishes: but now my hands . Illkl. H 1 1. - . were ticht unon the rails, and my tongue felt hot and dry. "Then you won t put a wreatn up mere, Nina?" "No. no." "How very decidedly you shake your head! Then we ve finished, I suppose. 1 shall stop for the practice, and walk home with you." A a Turn snnVn rift frathered UD a ICW stray leaves and bits of string wuich we had let tall atter tne woman swept iub church, and I carried with me the flowers t Vint n-it iiturt Thv wire onlv the sim- nl flnwera from our own earden and little green house, dui l moueni now tiHrbt und fresh thev looked when I laid them down upon my own seat in the Vn-ir We tried over our new anthem in the r.,.;nrr Hairlifrrit- hut nana, who stood to listen inst where Mara had stood last vear. decided that he would rather hear the old one. ao we Bang u once over; then with swimming eyes I went away, on.i ir.fr thn tintrera ivinir mere. The snow lay ankle-deep upon the ii nil. r a rrt irraM next mOrninir. but ft VUUIVUJWIU feti. ' path was cleared up to the porch, where the pure wnite naaes ciung ueutaicijr w the dark old wood-work. How cold the church was! I sat and shivered in my rUa KofnrA T even r&red to look at the effect of our decorations. Eleanor's cross r.a mnra ViAontitnl than ever this year. Did it make her very happy to live among nrh rteantiim nowersr numu iv uiuo Marn hannvf Thinking of him, my eyes wandered to where, upon that happy day a year ago, our wreath had hung. And there, just in the old flowers. another wreath was hanging now. The color rushed to my face; a hot light burned in my eyes. Who but Marq him- nnniri have rtnne this? 1 recoirnized the flnwern T had left in my seat last night; I recognized the taste which had a i-on rrd.l them- an d then I forgot all about the cold, and a great joy filled my heart as completely as me inumpuaui ii-. n i,Atpo nn fiilr-rl the rhnrch. lie came in with old Mrs. Gotto on his arm, and behind him walked a stooping, Stand lyy the Interests of the Workingmen of tlie Country. GALLATIN, MISSOURI, THURSDAY, JANUARY sun-burned gentleman, with gray hair and a fnrn lined thickly bv something that had gone more deep than care. But I did not trust myseii to iook at Biaxq, m when we came out into the church-yard they were gone. As wo lingered round the Are at home I could not help fancying that Marq would come in to us just as he had come that day a year ago. Yet when I really heard the footstep for which I had been waiting so long, I did not daro to turn. The children clustered round him, so 1 was the last whom he greeted. all "Nina, a merry tjnnsimasi Tho wsvrrla were so pav and vet BO earn est that I was ashamed of my own sudden shyness, ana inea 10 answer in uie name frank tone. 'I am come, you see. Elsie," he said, taking her on his knee as he sat down among us, "and nobody says how nice it is to see me. I think 1 will go back home again." Are. vnu come to live at the Priory now?" asked Tom, eagerly. no. 'Who was with you in church to-day, Marq?" asked my father. "Mr. Duncan, sir. He is staying with us over to-dav: then he takes possession of his own estate." What! old Mrs. Duncan's step-son?'. we all exclaimed. "Is he come back?" Papa said, quietly: "So I thought. "Yi he i rnme back from the very farthest corner of the earth, one might say." "Ami did von brine him back. Marq?" I asked, feeling how proudly I was look ing up into nis lace. "les, Nina, l Drougm mm uuck, wim the aid of many lawful and unlawful means," he said, with the old smile on his HP8- . . .. ... And and tne weaitn is nis nowr-TVio ttroalth haaheen alwftvn his. Nina: " V 11 - - - - J 1 but there were some useless forms for me to sro through ; and those, with our long search and many journeys, have taken up a whole long year. Did you remember Duncan, sir," he added, turning to papa. "Did you recognize him ?" "llardiy, JSiarq. lie was Doming mure than a handsome, careless lad in those Aa-wra. nn-ar ho Iruikn a mirlHl fl-acrp.d man one. too, who has passed through a hard . . .i i i i r r.. .:.Vi Dauie wiin me wonu, uu, j. lauuj, mm himself, too." "I wonder what old Mrs. Duncan would have said if she had known how her will would be ilighted," put in Tom, laughing."I'erhapS, 1 Baiu, loosing inio mo ure, while the cheek next Marq grew very hot indeed, "perhaps she knew what Marq would do." 'If she knew him well she may have guessed it," my mother added gently. Vat T thiTiVirnT T knew Mara so well never had guessed it! He laughed, giving Elsie a hasty kiss, and depositing her on 1on T must trn nnw " he Raid. " or 111 J inpi M. " .1 , 1 Mr. Duncan will have exhausted all my granamotaer s reminiscenceo ui mo au-t.. Hl.n r nme in for the eveninff?" Every' one answered eagerly except my- . . . .. -ii . i. . .. :i TLtwi sen ; out ne smuea at me just as u x uu done so. Wtot a Viartnir raxr that WAR? And in 1 1 lit... u uutj J , the evening, when the fires burned brightest, and the shutters were shut and the curtains drawn, Marq came. The urn had just been carried into the dining-room, and I was in there alone, making tea. when 1 heard him hang his coat and hat in the hall. We were so many, 1 thought, mat it mnnU wrt A? fnr tne tn nut in a fiDOOnful for each of us and one for the pot, but I did put in inree extra ones iui lingered, rearranging the flowers on the table, and wondering whether Marq had ever sat down to such a formidable children's tea since he had last been among us. Then it was time to ring the tea bell. As I turned to leave the room he met me, coming in with his old smue even more bright and tender than it used to De. Nina, this is Christmas night." And tea time." I added, laughing, as he took my hands In his. " I said I should come for my answer on Christmas night." x ou said so, dui never came. "Dearest, you do not understand now why I never came? Could I come until I knew what life I asked you to share with me? Could I offer myself to you a rich man, Nina, when I knew that very soon I 6hould be poor again? iou, l know, would have understood me it l had told you what I meant to do ; but it would have been unfair to you in the eyes of others. If if there had been no one to claim the wealth, after an, dui mysei., of course I could honorably have asked you to share it with me; but not not while i ien 1 neiu ii. in n "oi. x come for my answer on Christmas night, -a - T Nina, and nere l am. "And, Marq, here l am, too. a-,) tVion Via Virave hannv face bent down to mine, and neither of us spoke at first in our full content. "Nina, what have you thought oi me through this year of silence?" asked Marq, presently. "Has it tried your love, mydariingT" 1 did not answer mat, uui "jij my place before the tea tray. 'Ah. little N ina, it is impusoium " you have trusted me just so firmly ana entirely as 1 have trusted you.'" . V . 1 . I- mull T VnAV- X Knew i naa not on, w x " it! And 1 told him bo. "Von saw onr wreath. Nina? Did it tell you what I meant it should?" "Yes, and more, Marq." "It is very, very eood to feel that the waiting time is over," he said, leaning over my chair, while I first looked un- . a . t X A. .3 V AVk flQIT- meaningly into me tea-pot, anu iucu oo.-ed him if he would please to ring the tea- bell. Presently. The tea will be all the bet ter for standing a few minutes longer. Duncan is so anxious to see you, Nina. He says he must always look upon us as his two first and firmest friends, and that the Priory must be always home to us. But, dear, through this long, lonely year 1 have Deen woramg wiui umci wuw i-aide the relieving of mv conscience. I have been working for that home 1 used to dream or; ana now i ieei n iuuu prasn." Anrt the rosea ana tne i as mine; x asked, looking up, and trying to speak easily, though my cheeks were crimson. He answered me quite differently from what I had expected, and I began to put the sugar into tne cupa a imuum. "v von come wim me roaea uuu las- mine. Nina? aurely men l Bnaii nave waited long enough, my aear onei "Oh, Jarq, ao ring me ve ueui For I knew the tea would be undrinka- bly strong if we waltea any longer, ana every one would laugh at me for putting T. i Xnn- 4" If n.l in SO mucu exira just wi uxin. fmr intreRtinff onestion of the worth of labor at the time of the great fire, has nome no at Boston in the case of Jhn tj whofr a teamster, who was OCCU II j . . : .ma linnv in rpmnvi n tr tne aenetA OI piCU UUO uvui " 5 the National Bank of Mutual Redemp- tion, amounting to over f i.uw.wu. being satisfied with the amount tendered rvtrtvio hank officers in navment of his services, he brought suit to recover. A number of witnesses were examined, in- iniin(T several teamsters, who testified that the service was worth $50 an hoar at that time, and the Municipal Court awarded him $75 damages. Webster ap pealed to the Superior Court. TnB Journal of Chemistry say? children should not be allowed to eat lozenges en veloped in green paper. SSOXTK. HISCELlxOEOCS ITEMS. Chest photextors Padlocks. A fikry steed Horse-radish. A Crtmixai. Court Sparking another man's wife. now do we know a house is often hungry ? Because we see the chimney swallow flies.. - Tare which every wife is willing that the husband shall sow Soli-takes, in her ears. It is said that the Digger Indians are never known to smile. "They are grave Diggers. Ths man who wrestled with adversity wore out his silk stockings and got worsted. ' A poor fellow who was compelled to pawn his watch said he raised the money with a lever. Kino Alfred is said to have used candles to measure time with. Was this the origin of the candle's tick? California housewives describe eoda as "that ere stuff which you put in biscuits to make 'em get up and Grecian bend themselves.' " I have a fresh cold," said a gentleman to his acquaintance. " Why do you have fresh one? Why don't you have it cured ?" " "Tub beggars in this city did not ask favors of Santa Claus or Kriss Kringle. They only prayed to St. Nickel-us. St. Louis Journal. Hon. Capt. Musket (to casual acquaintance) " Visited the Alps this year?" Mr. Cadd " The Alps? oh, yes! Dined with 'em frequently in Paris." London Fun. Sikce the abolition of the dead head system on the Canada railroads, the Dominion editors have ever bo much more time to stay at home and attend to business.Adding insult to injury Telling a small boy who has just fonnd that water freezes with the slippery side up, that he shall have an ice-cream if he won't cry. A fashionable woman has as many different heads of hair as an Apache chief of undoubted bravery, but is more modest and only displays one at a time. Hiram Green says "all the difference he can see between Stephen of old and the readers of the New York Herald is that Stephen died stoned to death, while the Herald readers are Living-stone-d to death." An old subscriber writes to the New York Lpres: "They have fire-flies so large in the neighborhood that they use them to cook by. They hang the kettles on their hind legs, which are bent for the purpose, like pot-hooks." A Kansas young lady, who has recently recovered from the small-pox, thinks it is not nice to say "Put me in my little bed." When she wishes to retire she says, "Please place this wearied piece of an-mated clay in the receptacle constructed by mechanical genius, wherein drowsy humanity may enjoy nature's sweetest restorer." The Portland (Me.) Prat says: "One of our fruit dealers caught an urchin stealing nuts yesterday, and proceeded to administer condign punishment. The boy begged to be released, because he had recently been vaccinated fresh from the cow. 'What has that to do with it?' shouted the infuriated fruit dealer. 'She was a hooking cow, and it got into my blood, was the whimpering reply." A solicitor who had recently been engaged by a prominent life insurance firm, returned to the office of his employers, the other day, and complaimed that he had been snubbed by a gentleman on whom he called. "Snubbed," cried the manager, " snubbed? Why what did . .3 Via oViniilt Viave a rt 11 VlVlPf 1 rftll? VUU K-l blinb ins ouuuiu i J Than snliriterl life insuranco'from the At lantic to the Missississippi, and have never yet been snuDDea. i nave ueeu kicked down stairs, beaten over the head arith ohnirs and thrown OUt Of Windows, but snubbed I never have been." The solicitor is driving a coal wagon. A rnnrivirKT mtmber of a church m Kingston, N. Y., the other Sunday, in a fit of abstraction, went eany iu cuiuui, and took a seat in the pew ahead of his own. The next person mat caive m, knowing that his pew was the one ahead of the prominent member's, also Bat in the wrong pew. Every one that came in afterward pursued a similar line of argu ment, and, in consequence, iu mumms everybody on that side of the church was ; v, mrnnir rAw The man who occu pied the front seat thought his pew didn't look natural; Duiasuromer o. wmju behind him. it wasn't possible he himself could be mistaken. rmrmnrnr. Rtory. The London Globe publishes a story from Paris of a very remarRabie cnaracier. At i icwicu uui 1 Jl "lvn a German proieseor ueggeu ikuvauu- munist prisoners to experiment on scien- t.-RiollTr TTe administered chloroform tO each, injected a solution of calx into their a . a a.1l xl aV A n V systems, ana tnen oiea mem iu ucauu. The corpses were dessicated by furnace v.no nxit;i ttiA flesh shrivelled and the uca. iiuiii wiv. Rkin became like leather. In this state they remained three months, when tne urnosaa of reviviration bezan bv injecting into the bodies the blood of two healthy a . 1 I V.4Aa laborers, and applying a gaivanic uancrj. One of the bodies remained lifeless, but ;n ti other the muscles twitched, tho eyes rolled, the heart began to beat, and finally tire man aruou, wuipiamcu ui m- nf limb, but sneedilv re oil liia farrnltiefi. and is still liviDir LVivlbvi - j w to attest the success oi me ex penmen l . . 1 1 a. .411 The tale is remarKaoie, uui bhu muio the fact that the lxinaon papers appear to believe it. Biblical Curiosities. The Old Testament contains 39 books, 929 chapters, 23,214 verses, 592,439 words, 2,723,100 letters. . t , rru A "MTxr TootoTiipTit fintiiinil 27 nOOKS. X UW V" v. ... . - , 360 chapters, 7,959 verses, 181,253 words, 838,380 letters. The entire Bible contains 68 books. 1,289 chapters, 81,173 versos, 7,b'JJ words, 3,0(50,480 letters. The name of Jehovah or Lord occurs 6,855 times in the Old Testament. The word and occurs in the Bible 46,-227 times, viz.: In the Old Testament .35,543 times, in the New Testament 10,684 times. The middle book of the Old Testament is Proverbs. The middle chapter is the 29th of Job. The middle verse is the 2d Chronicles, 20th chapter, between the 17th and 18th The' middle book of the New Testament is the 2d Epistle to the Thessalom-ans. . . The middle chapter is between the 18th and 14th of Romans. The middle verse is Acts xvii., 17. The middle chapter or division, and the least in the Bible, is the 117th Psalm. The middle verse in the Bible is Psalm cxviii., verse 8. . 3 The middle line in the Bible is 2d Chronicles, iv., 16. The least verse in the Old Testament is 1st Chronicles, i.,1: The least verse in the Bible is John ix., 35. The Apocraphy (not inspired, but sometimes bound between the Old Testament and the New) contains 183 chapters, 6,081 verses, 152,185 words. The 19th chapter of 2d Kings and 3th of Isaiah are the same. These facts were ascertained by an English gentleman residing in Amsterdam, A. D. 1773, also by another gentle , man who made a similar calculation A. 30, 1873. T 1T78 and thev are said to have taken each gentleman nearly three years in the investigation. The first division of the divine oracles into chapters and verses is attributed to Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the reign of King John, in the latter part of the twelfth century or beginning of the thirteenth. Cardinal Hugo in the middle of the thirteenth century divided the Old Testament into cnapters, as they stand in our translation. In 1661, Athias, a Jew of Amsterdam, divided the aeetinnn of ITnpo into verses as we now have them. Robert Stephens, a French printer had previously (1551) divided the New Testament into verses as they now are. The Scriptures have been translated into 148 languages and dialects, of which 121 had, prior to the formation of the "British and Foreign Bible Society," nmo. onrwarA And twentv-five of these IJblW 11 " - J languages existed without an alphabet in an oral lorm. upwara oi ionyiuitx millions of these copies of God's Word re rirenlated amone not less than six hundred million people. "What hath 11 rt-l.T I-' There is a Bible in the library of the University of Gottingen written on 5,476 palm leaves Railroads: Some idea of the magnitude of this in- toroat in nur r.nimtrv mav be found bv the statistics which we print below, as well as ot the rapia increase in irnuopuiwuuu fnriiitiea for which the United States are becoming justly famous. It is anticipated tnat tne present year win uetmjr cuai that which has just closed in this aggregate of new roads, or rather of the length OI milCS Wllltll Win l3 iiiiiw. uuo, 1872, we Bee that 6,511 miles of new road were constructed in the United States, and writers upon the subject tell us that the nrooress in this direction for the next twelvemonth will be unchecked. The following table shows tne numoer oi miles projected in 1872, and the number actually completed : Tntai. Complete. 162.32 1,220.37 273 42 1,001.59 1,444 61 1,860 07 549.10 N. E. State !V Middle Statei. ,.. 1,514.96 8 E. States Gulf and 8. W. States. Interior, East Interior, West Pacific slope .. 142.87 .. 86485 .. 1.604.34 .. 2,410.96 .. 2,013 00 Total Increase 8,244.83 8,511.88 The total cost of 6,511 miles of road built in 1872 was $427,000,000, which shows that the cost of building railroads in this country has greatly increased. This can be accounted for in part by the increased cost of labor, iron and all materials that enter into railway equipment. But the increased cost of railroads, or rather the nominal cost, can be also traced to the disposition of the projectors to make individual fortunes of colossal magnitude by increasing the securities represented by railroads. During the year all sections of the country have been building new roads, but the greatest increase in mileage is in the Western States. The following table shows the progress made by the United States in railroad building from 1830 to the present time: Miles in Jtues tn Tear. 1630 1831 1832 1H33 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 Operation. 28 95 2iB 18 12,908 1853 10,u 1854 16,720 18,874 63 1856 "-,ui( 1,09811857 84,608 1,273!1858 26,968 1,49718S9 28,789 1,913 I860 80,635 2,802! 1861 81,256 2,8181862 32,120 3,5S5!le63 83,170 4,026,1364 83,908 4,18511865 85,15 4,377 1866 37,017 4,633 1867 89,224 4,939il868 41,277 K MM 1RK9 47.254 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847.... aauft!iRn 53 399 J849"::::::::::::::: i: 6o.35 1850 9,021:1872 67,863 1851 10,982 The nominal capital of all the railroads in the United States is about thres thousand five hundred million dollars. Boston Globe. On the Ice. Maria Ann went to the front door, last evening, to see if the af ternnon paper had come. She had been delivering a short address to me concerning what Bha is pleased to term my "cold molasses style'' of moving around. As she opened the door she remarked : "I like to see a bodj move quickly, prompt, emphatic" that was all, but I heard some one bumping down the steps in a most prompt and emphatic manner, and I reached the door just in time to see my better half alidini; across the sidewalk in a sitting posture. I suggested, as she limped back to the door, that there might be such a thing as too much celerity; but she did not seem inclined to carry on the conversation, and I started for my office. Right in front of me, on the Bllppery sidewalk strode two independent Knights of St. Crispin. They were talking over their plans for the future, and, as I overtook them, I hesrd one of them say: " I have only my two hands to depend upon; but that is fortune enough for any man who is not afraid to work. I intend to paddle my own canoe I believe I can make my way through the world;" his feet slid out from under him, and he came down in the shape cf a big V. I told bim he could never make his way through the world in that direction, unless he came down harder, and that if he did he would go through among the "Heathen Chinee," and he was really grateful for the interest I manifested. He invited me to a olace whore ice never forms on the sidewalk. Then I slid along behind a loving couple on their way to hear Madame Anna Bishop. Their hands were frozen to gether; their hearts Deat as one. dwu he: "My own, I shall think nothing of Ian4 wrfirb- if T enn make von haDDV. It shall be my daily aim to surround you - - - xl 1 11 ..Vlam witu comiort; my sympaiuy buu ugmcu ataw e-miirvjr on1 t Y TOT! ch the nath of life I will be your stay and your support; ... 1 TT! your he Btoppea. xiib upeecu wo flowery for this climate; and as I passed them she was trying to lift him. Two lawyers coming from the Court House next attracted my attention. "Ah," said one, "Judge Foster would rule this out. We must conceae tne nrst two points. We can afford to do It u the evidence sustains us in the third; but on this position we must take our firm stand" his time was up. Ijleft him moving for a new trial. I mused. What a lesson the ice teaches us. How easily is humanity controlled by circumstances and the attraction of gravitation. What a sermon mieht be based I got up and took the middle of the street to prevent farther accidents. Dttrtng the recent extreme cold snap, VUAUiur the following unique appeal appeared on the outside door of the Rockwell House, jricii a x i. w . , Tis winter ! and with frosty breath "Old Boreas" seeks to gain admission here to warm his red old nose. Where'er he finds a door ajar he entrance makes. Forthwith he set himself to work to neutralize the artificial heat wherewith we mortals try to supplement the warming powers of nature's stove "Old Sol So keep him out, Both tail and snout ! When you come in, turn right about attd shut the door, and do the same when you go out! , N. B. Don't depend on anyone else. Boston has Becured a first-class floating fire engine. AN NO. 17. Youths' Department. THE BOY WHO CRIED FOR THE MO OA. nia Highness, yonns Pucker, In bib and in tucker. Lay screaming one night for the moon ; "I will have it," he said, "Laid on to my bed ; So hasten and bring it down soon.' 'It's too far away," Said his nurse, in dismty, 'And no one can reach it, my dear. "Get ladder," he cries, "That will reach to the skies," Then he gave her a box on the ear. The Qneen mother heard. And came at his word. "O! why is my darling boy crylngr "I want the boo! bool moon." The Queen fell in a swoon. And they thought for a time she was dying. The King scratched hi head; "He miut have it," he said, "I'H send up a royal balloon ; Every man shall be hung. Or his neck shall be wrung, . Unless he brings Pucker the moon." No one brought It, it seemed. So the naughty boy screamed "Till eTery one inougni nun a uuih.c. . "We'll put him to bed, Thn anval nair siAlH "And send for a doctor at once." Doctors came and they went But none could invent A dose that would keep him from crying, . M ill a wise doctor came, Who bad a queer name. And who stared when he heard Pucker sighing. "What's the matter?" he said. "The poor child is most dead 1" Said the Oueen mother, wiping her eyes. "He cries for the moon. And we've sent a balloon. But they can't take it down from the skies." 'Well, mum, if that's all. Then let the child bawl. Although it is hard to endure; Notwithstanding his rank, I would give him a spank, Which I think will effect a sure cure." Then crying young Pucker, Tn nth and in tlirkar. (Though the servants were dying with laughter). 7 .HOiwiinBi&nuiiiK ma i"u, Received a good spank. And was always a better boy after. Youth's Companion. ABOUT BLIND CHILDREN. BY JBNNY BCBK. I wonder how many of my young mailers will think this is to be about the blind boys and girls in asylums, like the Mind Rsvlum in Boston, or the institute for the blind in New York? It is very sad to think of these children, who can never see the pleasant sunshine, nor the flowers, nor their mothers faces; but these are not the blind children I mean. Indeed, I wouldn't wonder if some of them were this minute reading these very words, studying a history lesson, or drawing some gray castle on the Rhine. For it was only the other day that I saw one of these children, with as bright, laughing, brown eyes as ever shone in a boy's face. It was Rob, who came bounding in from a walk in the fields. His mother is an invalid, who cannot go out much, and she asked him if the leaves of the red maples in the swamp had begun to turn any yet. Now, although it was time for those trees to be changing a little, Rob was obliged to tell his mother that he hadn't noticed them at all. He had seen a flock of pigeons, for that was just what he went out for ; and he had heard a partridge whirring through the woods; but the leaves whether they were all green still, r whether the early autumn had begun to paint them, he didn't know. And not long ago, Agnes, who has the brightest of blue eyes, wrote a compow'tion about "The Robin's Nest," in which she told about the five broxn eggs that she found in it. Some of the children looked at one another, and sailed a queer smile when she read it, fr I suppose they wondered what sort cf robin's eggs they were that were brown instead of pretty blue-green. You 8e it isn't so much the bright eye asthetftn0. That's the secret. So many beautiul and curious things there are that we pever see, though they are right before us every day. Nelly thinks if she could only go to Europe, and see so much that is rare and wonderful, she should be perfectly happy. I wonder if she has ever thought that there is a whole world of beauty she has not seen within a few bv the river or on 1M11VO VI " " " " J , tha riT-airia and thfl-t. if fihfi Will OniVlOOK at the common things carefully, they will afford her so mucn pleasure sne win not care half so much about seeing the rare ones. This, in amount, is what Johnny thought the other night, ne had picked up a gray stone on the way from school, that looked like any other gray stone; but his grandfather showed mm so mucn that was wonderful and curious in it, as thev sat by the evening fire, he quite for got it was common. To know how to see is one of the tYiSnfra tn ipnm A irood manv crown folks need to learn it as well as the young Deo pie. Not long since a Dcauuiui poem appearea in one oi me miiuco, uun timm uraa in at. nn( word in it about a bird that was wrong; and the critic a wise and kind one, too was quicK to nee it. and point it out. And he said, too, that one common fault of American writers was the not careful seeing or little things. pvd lit first like raw recruits, that have to be drilled and trained before they do pood service, ion nave an nearu oi Professor Agassiz, and perhaps you know that two or three years ago he went to South America to study certain things about that country. Many travelers had Koon thoro ,htnri and described what they had seen, but nobody had seen what Professor Agassiz saw, necause nuuouy eyes were trained like his. It was all there, but he fousd it first. Ami tViia eamf nrt of RfiP.iflff thin US iS just what he tries to teach other people. When young men go to him .to be taught about shells, for instance he gives them a shell to iook at careiuny, and asks them to report afterward what they see in it. I should hope they have pretty good eyes to report to sucn a teacher, sbouldn t you r Last summer a party of school girls went out to hunt after flowers. At last one of them found a stemlesslady's slippera pink, delicate-veined cup. Then all the girls exclaimed, "How lucky you are 1 By and by she found another, and then another, although it was not a very common flower in that part of the country, and the girls thought it too bad that all the good luck should come to her! L.ut it wasn't luck at all; indeed, there Isn t half so much luck in the world about ay-thing as people think! It was only that she was keener-eyed than the rest, and on a sharper look-out to see what was before every one of them. x Many years ago, when there were not many books, people read nature more closely, and the most ignorant people were sometimes wiser about birds, ana plants, and all common, home-like matters, than even the learned scholar is apt to be now. Generally it is the wisest person who spends a part of his time in studying things about him, instead of depending entirely upon books; who watches the bees at tkeir work; is quick to hear the bird's first Bong in spring; and who knows just where to find the wild geranium r the gentian. ,, And nature is such pleasant reading, too ! a real wonder-book, with broad, clear page, and full of fairy stones. The leaves of it are always turning over, and eachpase has something new to say. Georee MacDonald writes in one of his books that he watched the sunrise and an nant tm O n V VDfl rfl ViTI t ft.. WM.VH foiinfl something new and different in each one. May be you have an neara aDout itenry Thoreau, who loved nature so well and studied it so constantly. He knew all the wild creatures of the woods and fields their haunts and habits, lie saw more tnftn mmt an-v fin a else in the brooks, la the meadows, and in tlie sky. He said he couia always una me cower no w searching for; it was sure to appear to him wheu nobody else could find it. If one man can discern so much by careful observation, how full the world must be Of mines we never see at all I Isn't It true, children, that we are blind. after all f One cair of eves iee one thing, ana another nair another. naZTT. who loves birds, notes every kind as nC rides or walks througn the country romn, bird, jay, oriole, bob-o'-llnk, black-bh'P, and the whole singing company of them. Mary cares less for these, but she watchea eagerly the colors of the autumn leaves the gold, scarlet and flame color of tho maples, the deep crimson of tho oaks, the pale yellow of the poplars, tho warm or dull brown of the chestnuts, and tho brilliant red of the sumachs. Eddy sees neither of these, perhaps, only In a gen eral way; but his eyes are qu the squirrel, the wood-chuck, or the rab- blElla is a little girl-acquaintance of miner who thinks a great deal about dress; ana whenever she goes anywhere, or sees a number of people together, she notices what is worn; what clotn it is; snu uuw i tis made. Amy, her sister, sees none or these things; but she observes kinds or fp nnri modes of sDeech, and Is suro to remember what is said. No one of us can see everything, I.suppose, and it is far better to see one thing well than to suim over a viu.tu, certain we can all see a great u. . Kon ii-o rlr nhnrfvpr wo are n this Beau tiful world, if wo will only use nur eyes. LUue Corporal. To Make a Train or Cars. Olive Thorne, in The Little Corporal, tells the larger boys how to make a train of cars for their little brothers. All the tools needed are a saw, a hammer and a jack-knife: ... iror tne cars you want into ui plank about two and a half inches square, sawed into blocks five inches long as many as you like. With your knife round off the corners of the side which is to represent the roof. For wheels, get large sized button molds, as large as a two-cent piece. Fasten them to the lower edge of the car by putting a shingle nail through the hole in the mold and driving; it into the car. It will hold them fast, and yet allow them to turn nicely. For coupling, buy, at a hardware store, small staples and hooks tho smallest you can get. Into one end of each car, near the bottom, drive a staple, and into tho other end of each car drive a hook. If yon can't buy hooks small enough, you can cut off part of a staple with wiro nippers and use that for a hook. Turn the hook down, so it won't uncouple too easily. If you make some of the cars of inch boards, the fame length and width of the others, they will be "dirt cars,' and carry loads. Now for the engine. Take a piece of inch board, as wide as the cars, and eight inches long, for the platform. With your knife whittle one end off to a rounded point, something as you would shape the front of a boat; that is for the " cowcatcher." For a boiler, find a round stick a piece of broom handle wil do, though it ought to be larger. Saw it off five inches long, lay it on the platform, even with the square end, so as to let the "cow-catcher" stick out in front. Turn it upside down and nail it on from below. Put on wheels the same as for the cars. For smoke stack, a piece of broom handle four inches long, nailed or glued upright on the front end of the boiler, with a thin piece of wood (or leather), a little larger round, fastened to the top of the pipe, to give it the swelled-out appearance of the real locomotive. Put a hook at the back end, and a staple in front, to fasten a string to. Tne whole is much improved by painting. Buy at any paint shop a few cents' worth of red or green oil paint, and half the quantity of black. Take off the wheels, and paint all the cars and engine platform red or green two coats. When dry, put back the wheels, and paint them and the boiler and smoke stack black. You will be highly pleased with your t ru in an rl hneirlpa crivinir VOU Something to do it will allord your little brother as mucn amusement as inoujjn it cnuie a toy shoo, and cost several dollars. Four Tersons Convicted of Mnrdcr by a Paper Hun Wad. "Rot HVi.ln- Arthur Rhelbv. Ball Woods and William Smith were convicted of murder in the first degree, in Burnet County, this week, and sentenced by Judge Turner to be hanged on Friday, the lotn oi January next, me tuec w one of the most interesting in the annals of criminal trials, and the evidence, though conclusive, was entirely circumstantial. Ben. McKeever, the murdered man, was shot from his horse at night near the residence of the Shelbys, his throat cut, and his body carried on horseback three miles, and thrown into a cave in the prairie, 150 feet deep. A large rock was placed on the bloody spot where his throat was cut, and, apparently, every precaution was taken to avoid detection. The appearance of the rock indicated to the keen eye of the frontiersman that it 1 there. Close by it was paper wadding that had been fired from a shotgun, un examining me ruu of Ben. Shelby, paper wadding wasfound in it, and another piece of paper that had evidently been fired from a shotgun was found under Shelby's doorstep. In his house was found the Chimney Corner periodical. it was ascertained by comparison that the three pieces of gun wadding had been torn from that paper. A omoii fmo-mpnt nf McKeever's coat, of peculiar texture, found at the bloody spot. revealed the iact mat me murucr uau in committed there. There were many other circumstances pointing to tho ac- - . a 1 VtaaV nnn cused persons as tne muruereru, uui, unw deserves especial mention. On carefully placing the paper found where the blood had been covered by the rock, and comparing it with the wadding found in Ben. t: i. ui k.. h fniinwinor eniirma could be read from one paper to another, With piece of paper, or a siate. Kit round the Are, both large and small ; A letter make, almost an eight. And now you see what covers all. Austin (Texas) Statesmen. Careralness In Old Age. An old man is like an old wagon; with light loading and careful usage it will last for years, but one heavy load or sudden strain will break it, and ruin it forever. So many people reach the age of fifty, or sixty, or even seventy, measurably free from most of the pains and infirmities of old age, cheery in heart and sound in health, ripe in wisdom and experience, with sympathies mellowed by age, and with reasonable prospects and opportunities for continued usefulness in the world for a considerable time. Let such persons be thankful, but let them alse be careful. An old constitution is like an old bone broken with ease and mended with difficulty. A young tree bends to the gale an old one snaps and falls before the blast. A single hard lift, an hour of heating work, an evening exposure to rain or damp, a severe chill, an excess of food, the unnsual indulgence of an appetite, a sudden fit of anger, an improper dose of medicine, any of these, or similar things, may cut off a valuable life in an hour, and leave the fair hopes of usefulness and enjoyment but a shapeless wreck. A Pennsylvania man came upon a drove of five deer a few days ago while walking through the woods. He had a hammer in his hand which he threw and knocked one of the deer down, then ran up and captured it alive after a slight struggle. The Milwaukee Journal Is In favoir of allowing boys to catch rides on sle ghs and thifks they might Jm KgS that way as togrow up and be KUiea in railroad accidents.

Poetry. THIS WORLD. This world is a sad. sad place, I know And what soul living- can doubt Itt But it will not lessen the want and woe To be always singing about it. Then away with songs that are fall of tears; Away with dirges that sadden; Let us make the moet of onr fleeting years, By tinging the lay a that gladden. A few sweet potions of bliss Ire quaffed. And many m cnp of sorrow ; But in thinking over the flavored draught. The old-time Joy I borrow. And in brood in 3 over the bitter drink. Pain fills again the measure; And so I have learned that it'a better to think Of things that give as pleasure. The world at its aaddeet is not all aad ; There are days of snnny weather; And the people within it are not all bad. But saint and sinners toeether. I think thrasn wonderful hours of June Are better by far to remember Than thoe when the erth gets out of tune In the cold bieak winds of November. Bvanie we meet In the walks f life Many a selfish creature. It doesn't prove that this world of strife ilas no redeeming feature. There is bloom and beauty npon this earth; 1 hore are buds and blossoming flowers; Tbere are souls of truth and hearts of worth; There are glowing, golden hours. In- thinking over a Jov we've known We evil; make it double. Which is better by far than to mope and moan O'er sorrow and grief and tronbie. For thonsrh this world is sad we know And who that is living can donbt it? It will not lessen the want and woe To be always sinking about it. Miscellany. 31 KS. DIWCIVS WILL. Thk little church stands high upon the hill at Cros?ruyroof. It is not a handsome church at all, nor curious, nor famous ; but I love it dearly, as I ought to love it, having lived all my life in iU very shadow, and listened within its old gray walls while my father's lips taught me the one great lesson which has sanctified it. Ve decorated it three times in every rear : at Christmas, at Easter, and for the llarvest Thankgiving service. Bat the Christmas decorations were what I took mopt pride in, and being the vicar's eldest daughter, of course the chief of the work and of the pleasure, fell upon me. The children (I mean my brothers and sisters) helped me always, and we had odo of our own servants when she could be spared, besides countless village volunteers ; but I always felt we should have been very mueh more incapable and unsuccessful if it had not been that old 3Irs. Grotto made a point of having her grandson down at Crossmyroof for Christmas. lie was so raady with his help, o quick to see what would look well, so tall and stroDg, that nothiug we wished to attempt was impossible when he wa3 there, and nothing in the work was a trouble to me. Sometimes Eleanor M'Laird came np from tho hall to help us, and when she did she generally laughed a little, low, aris'ocratic laugh over my garlands and texts, and pretended to think the children had done them all. I was often glad that we were in the church when she said so, because hot words rose from my heart, and would have left my lips perhaps if we had not been there. She was an only child, and very rich, and I was the eldest of eight, and had never known what it was to have a sixpence, the spending of which had not been anticipated. Her father was lord of the manor, with i'3,000 a year ; mine was vicar of the par-ieh, with 300. Christmas day fell on a Sunday that year, and it was getting quite dusk on the Friday afternoon before we had finished. Eleanorhad brought a magnificent bouquet of hot-house flowers for the chancel tabic, nrl T ntnrxl watching her while 8ho ar ranged them.. "They will not be moved, I hope," the said, stepping down into the aisle again and addressing me, "nor the cross I have placed above. James, just see that the cross is safe." James was the footman who had been sent to walk home with her; and while he did as she had bidden him, she repeated her queEtion to me. 'No; no one will move them, Miss M'Laird," I answered. "Low Church people have such cramped ideas sometimes," she said, passing on; tiud I sat down again to the wreath that 1 was making. IIow different the vicarage flowers were from those which she had brought from tlie conservatories at the hall. 1 thought this, working on with my shy-looking little roses, while the whispering shadows glided in under the heavy porch, and c rept along the' narrow windows. I had beard voices in the church yard after Eleanor had left the church, and I knew that JIarq. Gotto (his name was really Marquis, but we always called him Marq) had met her ju.t outside the porch, and had stopped to chat. She was generally very gracious to him; perhaps because he did not live in Crossmyroof; perhaps because he had that charm about him which compelled people to like him; perhaps because he was so grand and handsome that Flic could forget, while she was talking t i him, that lie was only a poor young 1 twyer struggling hard to win his own way in a world over whose wide extent, be used to say, there was no one else to win it for him.- "Is it finished?'' asked Marq, standing beside me in the twilight, with that little smile npon his lips with which he so often rpoke to me. "If so, let me hang it before wo are shrouded in utter darkness." I tried to hasten, but the string got entangled every second. "Nina, your hands are cold and tired, dear. Give me the wreath." I gave it him at once, helping him to hold it while his strong fingers dextrously tied in the last ivy and laurel leaves. "Now hand me the nails, and see how artistically I will put it up." I stood at the foot of the little ladder, while the children, who had finished their task, gathered round. "When the wreath was hung he stepped down among us, and quite unconsciously, I thick laid his band on mine as he looked up at it. "The flowers look very commonplace besides Miss M'Laird's," I said, with a little sigh. lie laughed the laugh deepening in his eyes as he turned and looked into my lace. "I think Miss M'Laird's garlands are as like herself as Miss Callaway's garlands are like herself. My fingers could not " " .. -r -t . 11 "That looks pretty now, x saiu, suu looking up. "It is our wreath, remember. IIow long will it live!" "Only over Christmas," put in Tom, practically. ,r "Indeed, Sir!" laughed Marq; "and t innniro -what Christmas vou allude to? Now, Nina, is there any thing else for me to do in tnis wayr T think Tint." Tint thmicrh the children went home then, we two still lingered there, while the brilliant Nativity scene upon the eastern window grew more and more real as thn Hirht faded without. I have one thing more to do, you Trn " T Rid. as the choir came in. "We have to sing the anthem over to papa," rv.i' MtrVit T will stand here and x " e - lUtpn The singers lighted the candles on the organ, ana Dent over meui '- uimS 1: fh music: bnt I knew the crknd old anthem well, and stood back a w" 1 J 4 a s a w f in the shadow, wnere x coum o -""h 1 : V.a end nf I1T BPftt. Often In the time that followed did I sadly re-racmber how heedlessly I had sung the .,,,. .Ag that nliyht. while I rnthd hifl listenine fieure. Tapa was detained in the Tillage, and fo Marq and I walked slowly on together down the oniet lane, the darkness of the Christmas night deepening and decpen- inT inrlnniMrvpt wpiitnrinff OUt intO the chilling air. Yet we lingered at every stew, thinking nothinz of the cold. Marq ivas tellinc me of that stransre old jIrs. lv,nan uhn fver ninrn T ran remeM i.pt has lived alone at the old Priory, on thn nther side of the hill. Of course lone Ago 1 had heard the story of her cruelty to her step-son, and ot the quarrel between them when his father died and left .n t.ia wealth ii nnnn d i tions.ll v to her. the will never even mentioning his only son; VOL. IX. but Marq was tolling me other things how Mrs. Duncan always sought his advice now on the most trifling matters of business; how often she sent for him when she was in London; how she was now ill at Torquay, and he was going to her in a few days. 'When lawyers get one good client they think their fortunes made, Marq, don't they?" I asked. "I cannot quite answer for lawyers in general being so weak, dear; but one lawyer in particular is. 1 feel my fortune made. My only want now is some one to share it." He was laughing, of course, , and I lauzhed too. - "it is too great for you to Bpend alone, theur" "It will be when I've earned it. I intend to have such a beautiful little home. A white house, with roses and jasmine all over it, and a garden full of wonderful scents and unexpected corners just like your own home, NiDa. And of course I shall want some one to share it with me.". "Your grandmother," I suggested. "No, dear. My venerable ancestress is a strong conservative, declining to leave her ingle; and can you expect her primitive residence to hold me when I am a ni-nut man ' 11 1 . f v ill . i i. s :::. t..,n XOu. remeiiiuer liie luiuisiwic usj ui Stepney?" "Vou want to know when that will be, do you? With your usualfar-sightedness, you would insinuate that I am counting my chickens too soon. Never mind! I feel that I shall win success at last. Faint heart, as you are aware, never won fair lady; and as I mean to win her, my heart is very strong. That is the one ere&t hoDe that leads me on. Nina. btand hero a moment, dear, out in the quiet night witii me, ana ten memawiope shall have its fulfillment." We were at the gate thea, and I heard papa's step behind us on the frosty road. A new nervousness came upon me in my gieat happiness, and I hurriedly put my lingers on the latch. Marq laid his cool, firm hand upon them, whispering, very tenderly. "I will not keep you here, my dear one; I will not urge you for your answer now. Give it me to-morrow night onChristmas-night. Ah, little Nina, let it be kind. I have loved you with all the strength of my heart. You have been the one bright hope of ali my life. Let the pleasant home of which I dream be mine. Give me the little wife I seek, to make it bright and beautiful." Very quietly we walked together up the garden, but when we reached the lighted hall I ran away up stairs. After tea we had a long, happy evening of Christmas games and music, and Marq seemed to lead everythinc, and was the wildest and the merriest of us all. Not till the bells had chimed the Christmas in did we think of separating. Then the children were eent to bed, and Marq stood at the hall door, lingering over his good-night, the frostv hreath of the new-born day filling the hall, and we laughing and shivering as we stood there. lie loitered so long that they all left us; then I gave him my hand that I might follow them. "I wonder whether I shall reach home safely," he mused, holding it while he looked round in the darkness. "Nina, let me take what light I can. Let me have another look into the face I love." Moving back into the light, my cheeks burning, I stood and smiled my last good-bve; and outeide in the gloom Marq raised his hat and brightly answered me. Our wreath, he had said Marq's and mine! I thought it looked lovely even among Eleanor s rare and brilliant flowers. The children and I reaching the church first of all the congregation-walked up the aisle, whispering how beautiful the glistening leaves and berries looked when the slanting sunrays touched them. Then I took my place in the choir, and in little straggling groups the people passed under the porch, bringing in the Christmas sunshine on their faces. Old Mrs. Gotto came at last, on Marq's arm, and she stood a moment just within the door, looking around upon the decorations. Marq looked up too, but his eyes were very grave, and I fancied that his thoughts were far away. Then, in a hush which seemed to me a breathless hush of joy we sat among the winter flowers in gleams of sunshine, while my father read us the old, sweet story, which has hallowed this day for every age to come. And the glad words of the anthem filled the church as if we too, in joy and thanksgiving, wouia join the angels' hymn to-day. V e naa Deen nome oniy a iew imuuies, and were standing round the fire warm-miF font uhpn Mam came in. I won dered to see' him, because he never came to us on Christmas-day until evening, uu I esneciallv wondered when as he shook hands with us all he wished us a merry Christmas, forgetting he had done so eany in the morning. "T am sorrv to sav my Christmas greet ing heralds my good-bye," ho said, speak ing rather ncrveusiy. jur. nwoy, what do you think has happened?" a a1.!i. Of course papa 6aia ne couiu not. mma. at all. . . "n:H Mrs. Duncan has died at 1 orquay, and and left me her heir." Nonsense!'' nana said, promptly. "You joke too gravely, Marq." "But it is not a joke, sir; it is a simple fact." "Rut she has a son. Mr. Gotto." began Tom, staring into Marq's face. n: . hut hnchnml nan fine. "And has she left her husband's wealth away from her husband s eon?" l asKed, Xfo .imnlv anaspred VPS. Without lnokinsr at me as he spoke. "Since that nnarrel. nearlv twenty years aeo, ne rj . m i aHHasi aa nflnn niiPHiinneu iiiui ijiiiuci. r - i . . "she has never heard or this son. anu nas i i never tried to hear ot him. tie isnoi mentioned in her will, they tell me.' ... . . . 1 - ,al .1 nil t r-i a t ilia vr n 7 "Perfectly so. The property was her own, to leave as she would.' "Then the father's will long ago was as unjust as the mother s is now, mam ma intnrrimtPd Ullt a u KVI a u V- ma tJid Jr. uuncan was entirely iuikx Kr via hmt7 T iSpViAvp " Mara answered. "and left her uncontrolled possession of the whole estate. Tin m nTir rimld have imasined At... -v.. . n.;l1 i o li-o ir fprtm lila nnlv IHu BliO iiuuiu villi ifc n" i-i - J son," my father said. "Why, the name and the estate have gone together for two HrinrlrnrI wan" "Was Mrs. Duncan quite clear in her mind when the will was made, ao you iiTilrV T trinnirH Quite so, as far as medical judgment "There is no difficulty in deciding v7iat n-ma urrrin tr in tier mind " Said D1V father. cravelv. "How inveterate must have "What a rich man you will be, Marq!" eaM Tfsm rlftliahtndlv. "and VOU'll live at the old Priory, and be greater than the il Lairds. ' Are you really very rich and great, rn" acb-Ait PIlaiA raiaincr her small, in- quisitive face, and trying as I think we iM-a n-srp .11 trvinir to read Marn's. 1 1 u . . j . I IT a otAnnnil ilnwn nnon the rui? beside her, and I fancy that he did it to avoid our eyes, as he aDswerea, xes, i am very rich man, Elsie darling, but not great yet. That I must try to be, now mat i.ii i" The words were spoken very slowly and -.-rr VinnrrJitfnilv. and thev fell UDon my hpart as a heavy shadow sometimes falls upon a sunny spot. lie had to start for Devonshire so early ;n, ls c!.-1 that he must bid us cood-bye then. His grandmother NORTH ' r ' Wo would not hear of his leaving her again that day. We all shook hands with him as we a'tood round the fire ; then he hurried away, saying he should be late for dinner as he had to go round to the Priory. " lie speaks of the place in a tone of proprietorship already," papa said, laughing a little. " It will be good to have such a neighbor. I wish I had him for a patron, lie will go into Parliament, of course, and be a great man, as he says." "Poor Mr. Duncan!" mamma said, as she and I went up stairs. And whether it was because I thought of him, or because I thought of myself, I don't know, but the joy and sunshine of thatChristmas-day were gone. I had no fire in my bed-room, else I think I should have sat before it all that night, wondering and wondering. Yet I dare say that would not have made things any clearer to me than they seemed, as I stood for those few minutes at the staircase window. It was to-night that I was to have told him whether the home he said he dreamed of should be his. Another home had been given given him now, which took him in one way far from me. lie was free. Since I had not accepted his love, he could not think himself bound to me, and would go into a diflerent world now, and see Jbow much more wisely he could choose. "I know he will be a great man," I whispered to myself, "and I will rejoice in it as I live on quietly here. Perhaps sometimes, when he feels tired of his state and erandeur, he will like to rest a few minutes in the old garden with 'its wonderful scents and unexpected corners'; and I shall be his friend only his friend, but always true to him in my heart, whether he knows it or not. Oh, I am so glad that I could not tell him last night how I loved him!" Yet though I said that I was glad-though I pictured the quiet friendship I should feel for him my heart would beat so quickly when the letters came that I dared not trust myself to look at them; and while I waited for them to be claimed, each breath I drew hurt me with a quick, sharp pain. Week after week went by, and no tidings came of him no tidings for us, at least. Sometimes old Mrs. Gotto told us where he was, but not often, and sever what he was doing. Spring came. The roses and jasmine on the white walls of my home blossomed in their first, fresh beauty, looking in at my window, and reminding me of many a happy spring-time past, while the birds sang hopefully of many a happy spring to come. But still he never came. Dreamily, in its full and perfect beauty, the summer followed; on all the land lay its flashing, radiant smile ; but through these long, bright days he did not come. . I listened to the reapers singing at their work; I listened to the lark echoing their song among the soft, white clouds; but through all the joyous music ef the au-tnmn davs there rane for me a sad, sad strain, because he did not come. Slowly ' . .i i ii there crept to my ieei uie icnginening shadows of the winter, whose coming 1 sorely dreaded. n. Tl tto a PViriarmas.-P.VA on CP. more, and I had just brought into the church my last armtul oi glistening nony Dougn irum the porch. Under the pulpit stairs sat Eleanor, sewing letters of box lcayes on white muslin. 'Fear not The words grew under her fingers, and I read them over and over as I stood resting a moment near her. She was talking to papa quietly and rapidly as she worked, but I did not follow her. Now and then I heard "chas- subles," "tunicles," "albs," "baretta," and many things which I suppose ne un derstood, though he naraiy spoKe amu; but the only words which went to my heart were those her fingers lett on the long, white scrou. t tnmiwt tn m-e work, ashamed of the feeling which had been upon me all that morning. I would not thins again oi any one who had been used to make this task so light to me in the years gone by. Jl would think none but happy, Christmas thoughts. Why have you leu mat space uare, Nina? Sha'nt you put a wreath up as you did last year?" "No, Tom. i ve nnisnea now. V.lpannr had seen her text out up. and was leaving the church, wrapped in her rich, soft fur. She hesitated a moment, slv into mv face, where the color had risen, sorely against my will. Who made tne wreaiu uiai uuug mwo last year?" she asked Tom. "Nina and sit. uotto. "Have vou heard of Mr. Gotto, lately?" she said to me. 'Ilave vou not?" and she raised her eyebrows with languid surprise. "lie is in .London now. lie is coming uowu iu stav with us before he takes possession of the Priory. Papa helps him at pres ent in the personal management oi iuc estate, but we expect him soon." "How soon?" T it in a vnlrp on still and TtaS- sionless that it surprised me when I heard it i. ... "PArhann to nicht. I know he Will come as soon as he can. lie agrees with us that the Priory ought to be occupied. Tf la tVio nnlv timisA in thn neighborhood which I visit. Now I will bid you good evening. Miss Callaway.' t v. .1 iwun irrnntr in (rive ner mT taruEBi Christmas wishes: but now my hands . Illkl. H 1 1. - . were ticht unon the rails, and my tongue felt hot and dry. "Then you won t put a wreatn up mere, Nina?" "No. no." "How very decidedly you shake your head! Then we ve finished, I suppose. 1 shall stop for the practice, and walk home with you." A a Turn snnVn rift frathered UD a ICW stray leaves and bits of string wuich we had let tall atter tne woman swept iub church, and I carried with me the flowers t Vint n-it iiturt Thv wire onlv the sim- nl flnwera from our own earden and little green house, dui l moueni now tiHrbt und fresh thev looked when I laid them down upon my own seat in the Vn-ir We tried over our new anthem in the r.,.;nrr Hairlifrrit- hut nana, who stood to listen inst where Mara had stood last vear. decided that he would rather hear the old one. ao we Bang u once over; then with swimming eyes I went away, on.i ir.fr thn tintrera ivinir mere. The snow lay ankle-deep upon the ii nil. r a rrt irraM next mOrninir. but ft VUUIVUJWIU feti. ' path was cleared up to the porch, where the pure wnite naaes ciung ueutaicijr w the dark old wood-work. How cold the church was! I sat and shivered in my rUa KofnrA T even r&red to look at the effect of our decorations. Eleanor's cross r.a mnra ViAontitnl than ever this year. Did it make her very happy to live among nrh rteantiim nowersr numu iv uiuo Marn hannvf Thinking of him, my eyes wandered to where, upon that happy day a year ago, our wreath had hung. And there, just in the old flowers. another wreath was hanging now. The color rushed to my face; a hot light burned in my eyes. Who but Marq him- nnniri have rtnne this? 1 recoirnized the flnwern T had left in my seat last night; I recognized the taste which had a i-on rrd.l them- an d then I forgot all about the cold, and a great joy filled my heart as completely as me inumpuaui ii-. n i,Atpo nn fiilr-rl the rhnrch. lie came in with old Mrs. Gotto on his arm, and behind him walked a stooping, Stand lyy the Interests of the Workingmen of tlie Country. GALLATIN, MISSOURI, THURSDAY, JANUARY sun-burned gentleman, with gray hair and a fnrn lined thickly bv something that had gone more deep than care. But I did not trust myseii to iook at Biaxq, m when we came out into the church-yard they were gone. As wo lingered round the Are at home I could not help fancying that Marq would come in to us just as he had come that day a year ago. Yet when I really heard the footstep for which I had been waiting so long, I did not daro to turn. The children clustered round him, so 1 was the last whom he greeted. all "Nina, a merry tjnnsimasi Tho wsvrrla were so pav and vet BO earn est that I was ashamed of my own sudden shyness, ana inea 10 answer in uie name frank tone. 'I am come, you see. Elsie," he said, taking her on his knee as he sat down among us, "and nobody says how nice it is to see me. I think 1 will go back home again." Are. vnu come to live at the Priory now?" asked Tom, eagerly. no. 'Who was with you in church to-day, Marq?" asked my father. "Mr. Duncan, sir. He is staying with us over to-dav: then he takes possession of his own estate." What! old Mrs. Duncan's step-son?'. we all exclaimed. "Is he come back?" Papa said, quietly: "So I thought. "Yi he i rnme back from the very farthest corner of the earth, one might say." "Ami did von brine him back. Marq?" I asked, feeling how proudly I was look ing up into nis lace. "les, Nina, l Drougm mm uuck, wim the aid of many lawful and unlawful means," he said, with the old smile on his HP8- . . .. ... And and tne weaitn is nis nowr-TVio ttroalth haaheen alwftvn his. Nina: " V 11 - - - - J 1 but there were some useless forms for me to sro through ; and those, with our long search and many journeys, have taken up a whole long year. Did you remember Duncan, sir," he added, turning to papa. "Did you recognize him ?" "llardiy, JSiarq. lie was Doming mure than a handsome, careless lad in those Aa-wra. nn-ar ho Iruikn a mirlHl fl-acrp.d man one. too, who has passed through a hard . . .i i i i r r.. .:.Vi Dauie wiin me wonu, uu, j. lauuj, mm himself, too." "I wonder what old Mrs. Duncan would have said if she had known how her will would be ilighted," put in Tom, laughing."I'erhapS, 1 Baiu, loosing inio mo ure, while the cheek next Marq grew very hot indeed, "perhaps she knew what Marq would do." 'If she knew him well she may have guessed it," my mother added gently. Vat T thiTiVirnT T knew Mara so well never had guessed it! He laughed, giving Elsie a hasty kiss, and depositing her on 1on T must trn nnw " he Raid. " or 111 J inpi M. " .1 , 1 Mr. Duncan will have exhausted all my granamotaer s reminiscenceo ui mo au-t.. Hl.n r nme in for the eveninff?" Every' one answered eagerly except my- . . . .. -ii . i. . .. :i TLtwi sen ; out ne smuea at me just as u x uu done so. Wtot a Viartnir raxr that WAR? And in 1 1 lit... u uutj J , the evening, when the fires burned brightest, and the shutters were shut and the curtains drawn, Marq came. The urn had just been carried into the dining-room, and I was in there alone, making tea. when 1 heard him hang his coat and hat in the hall. We were so many, 1 thought, mat it mnnU wrt A? fnr tne tn nut in a fiDOOnful for each of us and one for the pot, but I did put in inree extra ones iui lingered, rearranging the flowers on the table, and wondering whether Marq had ever sat down to such a formidable children's tea since he had last been among us. Then it was time to ring the tea bell. As I turned to leave the room he met me, coming in with his old smue even more bright and tender than it used to De. Nina, this is Christmas night." And tea time." I added, laughing, as he took my hands In his. " I said I should come for my answer on Christmas night." x ou said so, dui never came. "Dearest, you do not understand now why I never came? Could I come until I knew what life I asked you to share with me? Could I offer myself to you a rich man, Nina, when I knew that very soon I 6hould be poor again? iou, l know, would have understood me it l had told you what I meant to do ; but it would have been unfair to you in the eyes of others. If if there had been no one to claim the wealth, after an, dui mysei., of course I could honorably have asked you to share it with me; but not not while i ien 1 neiu ii. in n "oi. x come for my answer on Christmas night, -a - T Nina, and nere l am. "And, Marq, here l am, too. a-,) tVion Via Virave hannv face bent down to mine, and neither of us spoke at first in our full content. "Nina, what have you thought oi me through this year of silence?" asked Marq, presently. "Has it tried your love, mydariingT" 1 did not answer mat, uui "jij my place before the tea tray. 'Ah. little N ina, it is impusoium " you have trusted me just so firmly ana entirely as 1 have trusted you.'" . V . 1 . I- mull T VnAV- X Knew i naa not on, w x " it! And 1 told him bo. "Von saw onr wreath. Nina? Did it tell you what I meant it should?" "Yes, and more, Marq." "It is very, very eood to feel that the waiting time is over," he said, leaning over my chair, while I first looked un- . a . t X A. .3 V AVk flQIT- meaningly into me tea-pot, anu iucu oo.-ed him if he would please to ring the tea- bell. Presently. The tea will be all the bet ter for standing a few minutes longer. Duncan is so anxious to see you, Nina. He says he must always look upon us as his two first and firmest friends, and that the Priory must be always home to us. But, dear, through this long, lonely year 1 have Deen woramg wiui umci wuw i-aide the relieving of mv conscience. I have been working for that home 1 used to dream or; ana now i ieei n iuuu prasn." Anrt the rosea ana tne i as mine; x asked, looking up, and trying to speak easily, though my cheeks were crimson. He answered me quite differently from what I had expected, and I began to put the sugar into tne cupa a imuum. "v von come wim me roaea uuu las- mine. Nina? aurely men l Bnaii nave waited long enough, my aear onei "Oh, Jarq, ao ring me ve ueui For I knew the tea would be undrinka- bly strong if we waltea any longer, ana every one would laugh at me for putting T. i Xnn- 4" If n.l in SO mucu exira just wi uxin. fmr intreRtinff onestion of the worth of labor at the time of the great fire, has nome no at Boston in the case of Jhn tj whofr a teamster, who was OCCU II j . . : .ma linnv in rpmnvi n tr tne aenetA OI piCU UUO uvui " 5 the National Bank of Mutual Redemp- tion, amounting to over f i.uw.wu. being satisfied with the amount tendered rvtrtvio hank officers in navment of his services, he brought suit to recover. A number of witnesses were examined, in- iniin(T several teamsters, who testified that the service was worth $50 an hoar at that time, and the Municipal Court awarded him $75 damages. Webster ap pealed to the Superior Court. TnB Journal of Chemistry say? children should not be allowed to eat lozenges en veloped in green paper. SSOXTK. HISCELlxOEOCS ITEMS. Chest photextors Padlocks. A fikry steed Horse-radish. A Crtmixai. Court Sparking another man's wife. now do we know a house is often hungry ? Because we see the chimney swallow flies.. - Tare which every wife is willing that the husband shall sow Soli-takes, in her ears. It is said that the Digger Indians are never known to smile. "They are grave Diggers. Ths man who wrestled with adversity wore out his silk stockings and got worsted. ' A poor fellow who was compelled to pawn his watch said he raised the money with a lever. Kino Alfred is said to have used candles to measure time with. Was this the origin of the candle's tick? California housewives describe eoda as "that ere stuff which you put in biscuits to make 'em get up and Grecian bend themselves.' " I have a fresh cold," said a gentleman to his acquaintance. " Why do you have fresh one? Why don't you have it cured ?" " "Tub beggars in this city did not ask favors of Santa Claus or Kriss Kringle. They only prayed to St. Nickel-us. St. Louis Journal. Hon. Capt. Musket (to casual acquaintance) " Visited the Alps this year?" Mr. Cadd " The Alps? oh, yes! Dined with 'em frequently in Paris." London Fun. Sikce the abolition of the dead head system on the Canada railroads, the Dominion editors have ever bo much more time to stay at home and attend to business.Adding insult to injury Telling a small boy who has just fonnd that water freezes with the slippery side up, that he shall have an ice-cream if he won't cry. A fashionable woman has as many different heads of hair as an Apache chief of undoubted bravery, but is more modest and only displays one at a time. Hiram Green says "all the difference he can see between Stephen of old and the readers of the New York Herald is that Stephen died stoned to death, while the Herald readers are Living-stone-d to death." An old subscriber writes to the New York Lpres: "They have fire-flies so large in the neighborhood that they use them to cook by. They hang the kettles on their hind legs, which are bent for the purpose, like pot-hooks." A Kansas young lady, who has recently recovered from the small-pox, thinks it is not nice to say "Put me in my little bed." When she wishes to retire she says, "Please place this wearied piece of an-mated clay in the receptacle constructed by mechanical genius, wherein drowsy humanity may enjoy nature's sweetest restorer." The Portland (Me.) Prat says: "One of our fruit dealers caught an urchin stealing nuts yesterday, and proceeded to administer condign punishment. The boy begged to be released, because he had recently been vaccinated fresh from the cow. 'What has that to do with it?' shouted the infuriated fruit dealer. 'She was a hooking cow, and it got into my blood, was the whimpering reply." A solicitor who had recently been engaged by a prominent life insurance firm, returned to the office of his employers, the other day, and complaimed that he had been snubbed by a gentleman on whom he called. "Snubbed," cried the manager, " snubbed? Why what did . .3 Via oViniilt Viave a rt 11 VlVlPf 1 rftll? VUU K-l blinb ins ouuuiu i J Than snliriterl life insuranco'from the At lantic to the Missississippi, and have never yet been snuDDea. i nave ueeu kicked down stairs, beaten over the head arith ohnirs and thrown OUt Of Windows, but snubbed I never have been." The solicitor is driving a coal wagon. A rnnrivirKT mtmber of a church m Kingston, N. Y., the other Sunday, in a fit of abstraction, went eany iu cuiuui, and took a seat in the pew ahead of his own. The next person mat caive m, knowing that his pew was the one ahead of the prominent member's, also Bat in the wrong pew. Every one that came in afterward pursued a similar line of argu ment, and, in consequence, iu mumms everybody on that side of the church was ; v, mrnnir rAw The man who occu pied the front seat thought his pew didn't look natural; Duiasuromer o. wmju behind him. it wasn't possible he himself could be mistaken. rmrmnrnr. Rtory. The London Globe publishes a story from Paris of a very remarRabie cnaracier. At i icwicu uui 1 Jl "lvn a German proieseor ueggeu ikuvauu- munist prisoners to experiment on scien- t.-RiollTr TTe administered chloroform tO each, injected a solution of calx into their a . a a.1l xl aV A n V systems, ana tnen oiea mem iu ucauu. The corpses were dessicated by furnace v.no nxit;i ttiA flesh shrivelled and the uca. iiuiii wiv. Rkin became like leather. In this state they remained three months, when tne urnosaa of reviviration bezan bv injecting into the bodies the blood of two healthy a . 1 I V.4Aa laborers, and applying a gaivanic uancrj. One of the bodies remained lifeless, but ;n ti other the muscles twitched, tho eyes rolled, the heart began to beat, and finally tire man aruou, wuipiamcu ui m- nf limb, but sneedilv re oil liia farrnltiefi. and is still liviDir LVivlbvi - j w to attest the success oi me ex penmen l . . 1 1 a. .411 The tale is remarKaoie, uui bhu muio the fact that the lxinaon papers appear to believe it. Biblical Curiosities. The Old Testament contains 39 books, 929 chapters, 23,214 verses, 592,439 words, 2,723,100 letters. . t , rru A "MTxr TootoTiipTit fintiiinil 27 nOOKS. X UW V" v. ... . - , 360 chapters, 7,959 verses, 181,253 words, 838,380 letters. The entire Bible contains 68 books. 1,289 chapters, 81,173 versos, 7,b'JJ words, 3,0(50,480 letters. The name of Jehovah or Lord occurs 6,855 times in the Old Testament. The word and occurs in the Bible 46,-227 times, viz.: In the Old Testament .35,543 times, in the New Testament 10,684 times. The middle book of the Old Testament is Proverbs. The middle chapter is the 29th of Job. The middle verse is the 2d Chronicles, 20th chapter, between the 17th and 18th The' middle book of the New Testament is the 2d Epistle to the Thessalom-ans. . . The middle chapter is between the 18th and 14th of Romans. The middle verse is Acts xvii., 17. The middle chapter or division, and the least in the Bible, is the 117th Psalm. The middle verse in the Bible is Psalm cxviii., verse 8. . 3 The middle line in the Bible is 2d Chronicles, iv., 16. The least verse in the Old Testament is 1st Chronicles, i.,1: The least verse in the Bible is John ix., 35. The Apocraphy (not inspired, but sometimes bound between the Old Testament and the New) contains 183 chapters, 6,081 verses, 152,185 words. The 19th chapter of 2d Kings and 3th of Isaiah are the same. These facts were ascertained by an English gentleman residing in Amsterdam, A. D. 1773, also by another gentle , man who made a similar calculation A. 30, 1873. T 1T78 and thev are said to have taken each gentleman nearly three years in the investigation. The first division of the divine oracles into chapters and verses is attributed to Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the reign of King John, in the latter part of the twelfth century or beginning of the thirteenth. Cardinal Hugo in the middle of the thirteenth century divided the Old Testament into cnapters, as they stand in our translation. In 1661, Athias, a Jew of Amsterdam, divided the aeetinnn of ITnpo into verses as we now have them. Robert Stephens, a French printer had previously (1551) divided the New Testament into verses as they now are. The Scriptures have been translated into 148 languages and dialects, of which 121 had, prior to the formation of the "British and Foreign Bible Society," nmo. onrwarA And twentv-five of these IJblW 11 " - J languages existed without an alphabet in an oral lorm. upwara oi ionyiuitx millions of these copies of God's Word re rirenlated amone not less than six hundred million people. "What hath 11 rt-l.T I-' There is a Bible in the library of the University of Gottingen written on 5,476 palm leaves Railroads: Some idea of the magnitude of this in- toroat in nur r.nimtrv mav be found bv the statistics which we print below, as well as ot the rapia increase in irnuopuiwuuu fnriiitiea for which the United States are becoming justly famous. It is anticipated tnat tne present year win uetmjr cuai that which has just closed in this aggregate of new roads, or rather of the length OI milCS Wllltll Win l3 iiiiiw. uuo, 1872, we Bee that 6,511 miles of new road were constructed in the United States, and writers upon the subject tell us that the nrooress in this direction for the next twelvemonth will be unchecked. The following table shows tne numoer oi miles projected in 1872, and the number actually completed : Tntai. Complete. 162.32 1,220.37 273 42 1,001.59 1,444 61 1,860 07 549.10 N. E. State !V Middle Statei. ,.. 1,514.96 8 E. States Gulf and 8. W. States. Interior, East Interior, West Pacific slope .. 142.87 .. 86485 .. 1.604.34 .. 2,410.96 .. 2,013 00 Total Increase 8,244.83 8,511.88 The total cost of 6,511 miles of road built in 1872 was $427,000,000, which shows that the cost of building railroads in this country has greatly increased. This can be accounted for in part by the increased cost of labor, iron and all materials that enter into railway equipment. But the increased cost of railroads, or rather the nominal cost, can be also traced to the disposition of the projectors to make individual fortunes of colossal magnitude by increasing the securities represented by railroads. During the year all sections of the country have been building new roads, but the greatest increase in mileage is in the Western States. The following table shows the progress made by the United States in railroad building from 1830 to the present time: Miles in Jtues tn Tear. 1630 1831 1832 1H33 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 Operation. 28 95 2iB 18 12,908 1853 10,u 1854 16,720 18,874 63 1856 "-,ui( 1,09811857 84,608 1,273!1858 26,968 1,49718S9 28,789 1,913 I860 80,635 2,802! 1861 81,256 2,8181862 32,120 3,5S5!le63 83,170 4,026,1364 83,908 4,18511865 85,15 4,377 1866 37,017 4,633 1867 89,224 4,939il868 41,277 K MM 1RK9 47.254 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847.... aauft!iRn 53 399 J849"::::::::::::::: i: 6o.35 1850 9,021:1872 67,863 1851 10,982 The nominal capital of all the railroads in the United States is about thres thousand five hundred million dollars. Boston Globe. On the Ice. Maria Ann went to the front door, last evening, to see if the af ternnon paper had come. She had been delivering a short address to me concerning what Bha is pleased to term my "cold molasses style'' of moving around. As she opened the door she remarked : "I like to see a bodj move quickly, prompt, emphatic" that was all, but I heard some one bumping down the steps in a most prompt and emphatic manner, and I reached the door just in time to see my better half alidini; across the sidewalk in a sitting posture. I suggested, as she limped back to the door, that there might be such a thing as too much celerity; but she did not seem inclined to carry on the conversation, and I started for my office. Right in front of me, on the Bllppery sidewalk strode two independent Knights of St. Crispin. They were talking over their plans for the future, and, as I overtook them, I hesrd one of them say: " I have only my two hands to depend upon; but that is fortune enough for any man who is not afraid to work. I intend to paddle my own canoe I believe I can make my way through the world;" his feet slid out from under him, and he came down in the shape cf a big V. I told bim he could never make his way through the world in that direction, unless he came down harder, and that if he did he would go through among the "Heathen Chinee," and he was really grateful for the interest I manifested. He invited me to a olace whore ice never forms on the sidewalk. Then I slid along behind a loving couple on their way to hear Madame Anna Bishop. Their hands were frozen to gether; their hearts Deat as one. dwu he: "My own, I shall think nothing of Ian4 wrfirb- if T enn make von haDDV. It shall be my daily aim to surround you - - - xl 1 11 ..Vlam witu comiort; my sympaiuy buu ugmcu ataw e-miirvjr on1 t Y TOT! ch the nath of life I will be your stay and your support; ... 1 TT! your he Btoppea. xiib upeecu wo flowery for this climate; and as I passed them she was trying to lift him. Two lawyers coming from the Court House next attracted my attention. "Ah," said one, "Judge Foster would rule this out. We must conceae tne nrst two points. We can afford to do It u the evidence sustains us in the third; but on this position we must take our firm stand" his time was up. Ijleft him moving for a new trial. I mused. What a lesson the ice teaches us. How easily is humanity controlled by circumstances and the attraction of gravitation. What a sermon mieht be based I got up and took the middle of the street to prevent farther accidents. Dttrtng the recent extreme cold snap, VUAUiur the following unique appeal appeared on the outside door of the Rockwell House, jricii a x i. w . , Tis winter ! and with frosty breath "Old Boreas" seeks to gain admission here to warm his red old nose. Where'er he finds a door ajar he entrance makes. Forthwith he set himself to work to neutralize the artificial heat wherewith we mortals try to supplement the warming powers of nature's stove "Old Sol So keep him out, Both tail and snout ! When you come in, turn right about attd shut the door, and do the same when you go out! , N. B. Don't depend on anyone else. Boston has Becured a first-class floating fire engine. AN NO. 17. Youths' Department. THE BOY WHO CRIED FOR THE MO OA. nia Highness, yonns Pucker, In bib and in tucker. Lay screaming one night for the moon ; "I will have it," he said, "Laid on to my bed ; So hasten and bring it down soon.' 'It's too far away," Said his nurse, in dismty, 'And no one can reach it, my dear. "Get ladder," he cries, "That will reach to the skies," Then he gave her a box on the ear. The Qneen mother heard. And came at his word. "O! why is my darling boy crylngr "I want the boo! bool moon." The Queen fell in a swoon. And they thought for a time she was dying. The King scratched hi head; "He miut have it," he said, "I'H send up a royal balloon ; Every man shall be hung. Or his neck shall be wrung, . Unless he brings Pucker the moon." No one brought It, it seemed. So the naughty boy screamed "Till eTery one inougni nun a uuih.c. . "We'll put him to bed, Thn anval nair siAlH "And send for a doctor at once." Doctors came and they went But none could invent A dose that would keep him from crying, . M ill a wise doctor came, Who bad a queer name. And who stared when he heard Pucker sighing. "What's the matter?" he said. "The poor child is most dead 1" Said the Oueen mother, wiping her eyes. "He cries for the moon. And we've sent a balloon. But they can't take it down from the skies." 'Well, mum, if that's all. Then let the child bawl. Although it is hard to endure; Notwithstanding his rank, I would give him a spank, Which I think will effect a sure cure." Then crying young Pucker, Tn nth and in tlirkar. (Though the servants were dying with laughter). 7 .HOiwiinBi&nuiiiK ma i"u, Received a good spank. And was always a better boy after. Youth's Companion. ABOUT BLIND CHILDREN. BY JBNNY BCBK. I wonder how many of my young mailers will think this is to be about the blind boys and girls in asylums, like the Mind Rsvlum in Boston, or the institute for the blind in New York? It is very sad to think of these children, who can never see the pleasant sunshine, nor the flowers, nor their mothers faces; but these are not the blind children I mean. Indeed, I wouldn't wonder if some of them were this minute reading these very words, studying a history lesson, or drawing some gray castle on the Rhine. For it was only the other day that I saw one of these children, with as bright, laughing, brown eyes as ever shone in a boy's face. It was Rob, who came bounding in from a walk in the fields. His mother is an invalid, who cannot go out much, and she asked him if the leaves of the red maples in the swamp had begun to turn any yet. Now, although it was time for those trees to be changing a little, Rob was obliged to tell his mother that he hadn't noticed them at all. He had seen a flock of pigeons, for that was just what he went out for ; and he had heard a partridge whirring through the woods; but the leaves whether they were all green still, r whether the early autumn had begun to paint them, he didn't know. And not long ago, Agnes, who has the brightest of blue eyes, wrote a compow'tion about "The Robin's Nest," in which she told about the five broxn eggs that she found in it. Some of the children looked at one another, and sailed a queer smile when she read it, fr I suppose they wondered what sort cf robin's eggs they were that were brown instead of pretty blue-green. You 8e it isn't so much the bright eye asthetftn0. That's the secret. So many beautiul and curious things there are that we pever see, though they are right before us every day. Nelly thinks if she could only go to Europe, and see so much that is rare and wonderful, she should be perfectly happy. I wonder if she has ever thought that there is a whole world of beauty she has not seen within a few bv the river or on 1M11VO VI " " " " J , tha riT-airia and thfl-t. if fihfi Will OniVlOOK at the common things carefully, they will afford her so mucn pleasure sne win not care half so much about seeing the rare ones. This, in amount, is what Johnny thought the other night, ne had picked up a gray stone on the way from school, that looked like any other gray stone; but his grandfather showed mm so mucn that was wonderful and curious in it, as thev sat by the evening fire, he quite for got it was common. To know how to see is one of the tYiSnfra tn ipnm A irood manv crown folks need to learn it as well as the young Deo pie. Not long since a Dcauuiui poem appearea in one oi me miiuco, uun timm uraa in at. nn( word in it about a bird that was wrong; and the critic a wise and kind one, too was quicK to nee it. and point it out. And he said, too, that one common fault of American writers was the not careful seeing or little things. pvd lit first like raw recruits, that have to be drilled and trained before they do pood service, ion nave an nearu oi Professor Agassiz, and perhaps you know that two or three years ago he went to South America to study certain things about that country. Many travelers had Koon thoro ,htnri and described what they had seen, but nobody had seen what Professor Agassiz saw, necause nuuouy eyes were trained like his. It was all there, but he fousd it first. Ami tViia eamf nrt of RfiP.iflff thin US iS just what he tries to teach other people. When young men go to him .to be taught about shells, for instance he gives them a shell to iook at careiuny, and asks them to report afterward what they see in it. I should hope they have pretty good eyes to report to sucn a teacher, sbouldn t you r Last summer a party of school girls went out to hunt after flowers. At last one of them found a stemlesslady's slippera pink, delicate-veined cup. Then all the girls exclaimed, "How lucky you are 1 By and by she found another, and then another, although it was not a very common flower in that part of the country, and the girls thought it too bad that all the good luck should come to her! L.ut it wasn't luck at all; indeed, there Isn t half so much luck in the world about ay-thing as people think! It was only that she was keener-eyed than the rest, and on a sharper look-out to see what was before every one of them. x Many years ago, when there were not many books, people read nature more closely, and the most ignorant people were sometimes wiser about birds, ana plants, and all common, home-like matters, than even the learned scholar is apt to be now. Generally it is the wisest person who spends a part of his time in studying things about him, instead of depending entirely upon books; who watches the bees at tkeir work; is quick to hear the bird's first Bong in spring; and who knows just where to find the wild geranium r the gentian. ,, And nature is such pleasant reading, too ! a real wonder-book, with broad, clear page, and full of fairy stones. The leaves of it are always turning over, and eachpase has something new to say. Georee MacDonald writes in one of his books that he watched the sunrise and an nant tm O n V VDfl rfl ViTI t ft.. WM.VH foiinfl something new and different in each one. May be you have an neara aDout itenry Thoreau, who loved nature so well and studied it so constantly. He knew all the wild creatures of the woods and fields their haunts and habits, lie saw more tnftn mmt an-v fin a else in the brooks, la the meadows, and in tlie sky. He said he couia always una me cower no w searching for; it was sure to appear to him wheu nobody else could find it. If one man can discern so much by careful observation, how full the world must be Of mines we never see at all I Isn't It true, children, that we are blind. after all f One cair of eves iee one thing, ana another nair another. naZTT. who loves birds, notes every kind as nC rides or walks througn the country romn, bird, jay, oriole, bob-o'-llnk, black-bh'P, and the whole singing company of them. Mary cares less for these, but she watchea eagerly the colors of the autumn leaves the gold, scarlet and flame color of tho maples, the deep crimson of tho oaks, the pale yellow of the poplars, tho warm or dull brown of the chestnuts, and tho brilliant red of the sumachs. Eddy sees neither of these, perhaps, only In a gen eral way; but his eyes are qu the squirrel, the wood-chuck, or the rab- blElla is a little girl-acquaintance of miner who thinks a great deal about dress; ana whenever she goes anywhere, or sees a number of people together, she notices what is worn; what clotn it is; snu uuw i tis made. Amy, her sister, sees none or these things; but she observes kinds or fp nnri modes of sDeech, and Is suro to remember what is said. No one of us can see everything, I.suppose, and it is far better to see one thing well than to suim over a viu.tu, certain we can all see a great u. . Kon ii-o rlr nhnrfvpr wo are n this Beau tiful world, if wo will only use nur eyes. LUue Corporal. To Make a Train or Cars. Olive Thorne, in The Little Corporal, tells the larger boys how to make a train of cars for their little brothers. All the tools needed are a saw, a hammer and a jack-knife: ... iror tne cars you want into ui plank about two and a half inches square, sawed into blocks five inches long as many as you like. With your knife round off the corners of the side which is to represent the roof. For wheels, get large sized button molds, as large as a two-cent piece. Fasten them to the lower edge of the car by putting a shingle nail through the hole in the mold and driving; it into the car. It will hold them fast, and yet allow them to turn nicely. For coupling, buy, at a hardware store, small staples and hooks tho smallest you can get. Into one end of each car, near the bottom, drive a staple, and into tho other end of each car drive a hook. If yon can't buy hooks small enough, you can cut off part of a staple with wiro nippers and use that for a hook. Turn the hook down, so it won't uncouple too easily. If you make some of the cars of inch boards, the fame length and width of the others, they will be "dirt cars,' and carry loads. Now for the engine. Take a piece of inch board, as wide as the cars, and eight inches long, for the platform. With your knife whittle one end off to a rounded point, something as you would shape the front of a boat; that is for the " cowcatcher." For a boiler, find a round stick a piece of broom handle wil do, though it ought to be larger. Saw it off five inches long, lay it on the platform, even with the square end, so as to let the "cow-catcher" stick out in front. Turn it upside down and nail it on from below. Put on wheels the same as for the cars. For smoke stack, a piece of broom handle four inches long, nailed or glued upright on the front end of the boiler, with a thin piece of wood (or leather), a little larger round, fastened to the top of the pipe, to give it the swelled-out appearance of the real locomotive. Put a hook at the back end, and a staple in front, to fasten a string to. Tne whole is much improved by painting. Buy at any paint shop a few cents' worth of red or green oil paint, and half the quantity of black. Take off the wheels, and paint all the cars and engine platform red or green two coats. When dry, put back the wheels, and paint them and the boiler and smoke stack black. You will be highly pleased with your t ru in an rl hneirlpa crivinir VOU Something to do it will allord your little brother as mucn amusement as inoujjn it cnuie a toy shoo, and cost several dollars. Four Tersons Convicted of Mnrdcr by a Paper Hun Wad. "Rot HVi.ln- Arthur Rhelbv. Ball Woods and William Smith were convicted of murder in the first degree, in Burnet County, this week, and sentenced by Judge Turner to be hanged on Friday, the lotn oi January next, me tuec w one of the most interesting in the annals of criminal trials, and the evidence, though conclusive, was entirely circumstantial. Ben. McKeever, the murdered man, was shot from his horse at night near the residence of the Shelbys, his throat cut, and his body carried on horseback three miles, and thrown into a cave in the prairie, 150 feet deep. A large rock was placed on the bloody spot where his throat was cut, and, apparently, every precaution was taken to avoid detection. The appearance of the rock indicated to the keen eye of the frontiersman that it 1 there. Close by it was paper wadding that had been fired from a shotgun, un examining me ruu of Ben. Shelby, paper wadding wasfound in it, and another piece of paper that had evidently been fired from a shotgun was found under Shelby's doorstep. In his house was found the Chimney Corner periodical. it was ascertained by comparison that the three pieces of gun wadding had been torn from that paper. A omoii fmo-mpnt nf McKeever's coat, of peculiar texture, found at the bloody spot. revealed the iact mat me murucr uau in committed there. There were many other circumstances pointing to tho ac- - . a 1 VtaaV nnn cused persons as tne muruereru, uui, unw deserves especial mention. On carefully placing the paper found where the blood had been covered by the rock, and comparing it with the wadding found in Ben. t: i. ui k.. h fniinwinor eniirma could be read from one paper to another, With piece of paper, or a siate. Kit round the Are, both large and small ; A letter make, almost an eight. And now you see what covers all. Austin (Texas) Statesmen. Careralness In Old Age. An old man is like an old wagon; with light loading and careful usage it will last for years, but one heavy load or sudden strain will break it, and ruin it forever. So many people reach the age of fifty, or sixty, or even seventy, measurably free from most of the pains and infirmities of old age, cheery in heart and sound in health, ripe in wisdom and experience, with sympathies mellowed by age, and with reasonable prospects and opportunities for continued usefulness in the world for a considerable time. Let such persons be thankful, but let them alse be careful. An old constitution is like an old bone broken with ease and mended with difficulty. A young tree bends to the gale an old one snaps and falls before the blast. A single hard lift, an hour of heating work, an evening exposure to rain or damp, a severe chill, an excess of food, the unnsual indulgence of an appetite, a sudden fit of anger, an improper dose of medicine, any of these, or similar things, may cut off a valuable life in an hour, and leave the fair hopes of usefulness and enjoyment but a shapeless wreck. A Pennsylvania man came upon a drove of five deer a few days ago while walking through the woods. He had a hammer in his hand which he threw and knocked one of the deer down, then ran up and captured it alive after a slight struggle. The Milwaukee Journal Is In favoir of allowing boys to catch rides on sle ghs and thifks they might Jm KgS that way as togrow up and be KUiea in railroad accidents.